UNIVERSITY FROM WITHIN

Evening Star, Issue 22952, 9 May 1938, Page 14

UNIVERSITY FROM WITHIN

ITS NEEDS AND PROBLEMS ORATION TO GRADUATES DELIVERED BY DR C. E. HERCUS At the ceremony of conferring degrees, conducted this afternoon in the Town Hall by the University of Otago, the oration to the graduates was delivered by Hr C. E. Hercus, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, who dealt with the • various needs and problems of a university.. The Chancellor of the University of Otago (Mr \V. J. Morrell) presided. Dr Hercus prefaced his remarks by saying his subject would necessarily involve him in some critisism of existing conditions, but he asked his listeners to regard it in a constructive spirit with the idea of enlisting their co-opera-tion in an endeavour to assist the University in improving her facilities. ROLE OF THE GRADUATES. Dr Hercus asked the graduates to maintain an active interest in the affairs of the University, of which they still formed an essential part. As members of the Court of Convocation they we're trusted with electoral responsibilities for, both Senate and University Council. The General Court of Convocation had no corporate life.. Although there was provision in the University Act for the meeting of the court, it has‘not been convened for 30 years. The District Court of Convocation did meet occasionally, but the legal machinery. under which it works was said to' be , defective and to hinder progress. Be that as it may, the court had shown little evidence of life. To remedy this position there was a movement afoot to form a graduates’ assocaition in Dunedin complements! to the district court. “ May I commend this association to you as being worthy,of your active support?” said the speaker. “It would fulfil the same functions for the University of Otago as old boys’ organisations perform for their schools. There are so many important tasks in which, your help is urgently required. Many universities in the Empire to-day have set up appointments boards > to assist graduates in securing effective employment in the community. In some Australian universties whole-time officers have been appointed for this work. In our. more limited " field it 1 occurs • to me that in tho ‘meantime the graduates’ association could interest" itself in this matter, and might create some machinery to undertake the work. The association could also keep steadily before Government authorities the need for the fuller utilisation of the services of graduates in general, and local government.” It was gratifying to see from the recent statement by the Prime Minister that such a policy was to be actively prosecuted by tho Government, went on Dr Hercus. . Great Britain had always drawn freely on the universities for its civil service, but, like New Zealand it had been slow to utilise graduates in local government. In this connection he quoted from a recent Royal Commission on Local Government in England. “ Few local authorities expect to take graduates on to their ordinary staff unless they possess some technical qualification.". . . Local authorities cannot afford to make so little use of the ability to be. found in the universities. , . , We are in this dilemma, either the entire educational system of the country is mistaken, or local authorities ought to be drawing systematically on the universities.” This was a matter of national concern, since the appropriate use of talent must determine the pace of social progress. Many would not be resident in the neighbourhood of Dunedin, and would be unable to assist actively in this association, and the speaker suggested that they follow the example of the graduates of many of the American universities and resolve that every 10 years after this graduating year they would return to renew old acquaintanceship, preferably at capping time. Here the nome science graduates had set an admirable example of what could be done to keep their alumnse together and in close touch with the activities of their school. Last year a local group of graduates established a journal to provide a medium for keeping members of the University informed upon matters of mutual interest. This journal should play an important part in the life of the University, and should become the official organ ox the Graduates’ Association. “A VISIONARY PARENT.” “ This ceremony being primarily one of the University of New Zealand, our Alma Mater onco removed, may I bring under your notice spme ■ of her disabilities? ” asked the speaker. “It is true that to most of us sho_ a rather visionary parent whose main interest appears to be the gratification of our national passion for examination. Once a year she takes on more corporate life at a ceremony such as this. To understand her rather spectral nature it is necessary to know something of the circumstances of her birth and her post-natal history. Young life is always most affected by adverse environmental circumstances. She was born and reared in an atmosphere of nervous acrimonious controversy which has coloured her whole life. FROM THE EARLIEST DAYS, Dr Beaglehole, under the auspices of the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, had written a lively account of the history of the University of New Zealand. As members of the University of Otago they had a particular interest in the whole; amazing story, for the Act which created the University of New Zealand provided for its establishment as a teaching University located in Dunedin, an extremely wise and far-sighted provision which provincial and denominational jealousy defeated. In the House of Representatives in 1870_Stafford announced “ that fathers simply would not send their sons, especially at an immature age, to live in, the principal street of the principal town of the colony, exposed to all the temptations to which all boys of that age would be exposed in such a situation.” Apparently the dangers of Princes street were very real to members, and Parliamentary opinion swung away from Dunedin. Concentration of effort in one centre was sacrificed to a policy of diffusion.

The University of New Zealand became what the member for Onehunga described a year later as “ That houseless and homeless University that like a ghost haunted the House session by session.” Throughout these troublous times the University of Otago, founded by our pioneers a year before the University of New Zealand, ploughed her lonely furrow, convinced from the outset that a true university must bo a teaching university, must maintain a high standard, must make provision for the, corporate life of her members, and must become an intrinsic part of the life of the city and province. Among the stalwarts of the University’

of ’Otago of that day who endeavoured to guide the New Zealand Government into a sound policy of university development, Professor Shand, first professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in Otago, stood out for his wise counsel. He pointed out that all the functions characteristic of a university had been surrendered by the University of New Zealand except the least important one, that of examination for degrees. He pleaded for a single teaching institution situated it did not matter where. He stated: “ Organic reform is at present not only possible, but easy. There are now no private vested rights standing in the way; there is nothing to pull down, we have only to build. . . . Wo possess an opportunity such as no colony ever before enjoyed of building up a broad in plan and effective in organisation, which may be useful in our time and illustrious in the future. If blinded by narrow aims or supinely indifferent to the best interests of education wo fail to seize the favourable time for action, we shall lag behind the other colonies in the race in which we were well entitled to; take the lead. , We shall deprive our children of the educational advantages which they ought to enjoy, and we shall bequeath to our successors a problem which by that time it will have ’ become well nigh impossible to, solve.” These were prophetic words, said Dr Hercus, who; expressed" tho hope that some day they would have a University assembly hall where ceremonies such ,as this could be held. This hall should be a memorial to tho founders, and each year on July 5, the date of the opening of the University, they should hold in it a commemoration ceremony. A SICKLY CHILD. In December, 1878, so sickly was this new-born child, the University of New Zealand, that a distinguished body : of experts was called in to advise the country with regard to her nurture. After an exhaustive inquiry the commission recommended that the original intention should be adhered to, and that the site of the University of New Zealand should be in Dunedin. Unfortunately once again parochial interests conspired to prevent the adoption ■of these recommendations. Through a troublous childho6d she passed into a more or less healthy adult life. It is true that at intervals educationists as distinguished as Viscount Bryce and President Jordan visited New Zealand and confessed to some anxiety concerning certain aspects ■of her life. • With the advent of middle age, however, definite signs of ill-health peculiar to this period of life manifested themselves, and it was decided to ask for advice from two .eminent .consultants from - abroad. The senior consultant. Sir Harry Reiohel, was the distinguished principal of. the Federated University of Wales, a university, which had passed through similar difficulties from ■ which they nad emerged successfully. With the greatest" care and skill they studied the patient, and finally- made a -report embodying their diagnosis and a care-fully-prepared course of treatment, calculated to restore the University to health. The report of this Royal'Commission was a mine of‘shrewd observation 1 and wise counsel in which every member of the University Commonwealth could quarry periodically with advantage. Their diagnosis was summed up. in one pregnant phrase: “ The general impression left on our minds is that the University of New Zealand offers unrivalled facilities for gaining university degrees, but that it is less successful in providing university education.” The lines of treatment suggested were clear and specific. “The consultants departed. .Thirteen more years have, elapsed. What progress has be£n made?” asked the speaker. “ Some of the commissioners’ advice has been, taken.. The pernicious and disastrous system of external examinations in the arts and science faculties has gone for stages I. and 11., and is going for stages 111. and honours. The greater the measure of freedom given to the teachers, the greater the return in the spirit of inquiry and creative thought, which should characterise the living university. There has been reorganisation in administration which has proved of value. Unfortunately some of the more unpalatable remedies have not yet. been applied. For example, as yet there is no definite plan of specialisation laid down for the subjects of the arts and science faculty. Here is an important field in which you gradutes can help. It must be evident to you that the finance available: for university purposes ,in this country is ndt,unlimited. _The adoption of a plan in which it is laid down where new subjects are to be taught and where research work at stages beyond the present honours degree is to be carried out would bo in line with the commissioners’ advice and with the views. of Professor Hunter, the vice-chancellor of the New Zealand University, expressed at, this ceremony in 1934.

ADVANCES AND DEFICIENCIES. “ I turn now to consider our _ wellbeloved University of Otago, historically the oldest university established in' this country. Though great advances. have been made since her foundation, there are still many deficiencies. First I should press the needs of the undergraduates, the most substantial and essential section of the University. It is not necessary for me to emphasise what a vital part the University Union plays in the life of a university. Cardnal Newman in his much-quoted and classical' book, ‘The Ideal of a University,’ says all there is to say on this important subject. A union should afford opportunities for fellowship between students of all faculties and between staff and .students. Throughout the universities of the Empire there is a general recognition of the importance of providing moans for such fellowshp. The universities of Australia have made admirable, provision in this, phase of universty life, and I fear that we are lagging behind them. You will agree, I think.-that our present union is altogether too small to meet the needs of the 1,376 students in attendance at the University. A new union is an urgent necessity, and I am glad to see that the undergraduates have decided to put aside a sum of £4OO per annum towards a fund to be devoted to this purpose, commencing this year. There should be many' graduates who would ‘ value the privilege ’ of contributing to this fund. In my dreams I picture a union situated in the block immediately to the north of the Knox Church Sunday School. Adjacent to it I see a gymnasium, a swimming pool, squash courts and tennis courts, facilities for the cultivation of the body as well as of the mind. In this position the union would be equally accessible topograpmcally to all members of the University, and in supplying a common • meeting ground it would tend to break down the present regrettable but inevitable tendency to segregation of members of the University into different faculties. In an inquiry amongst the student body carried, out at the commencement of this term only 43 per cent, expressed the desire to take part in such university activities as debating, literary criticism, and musical appreciation. The inadequate union facilities might be considered as a factor in this disturbing result. “ When in the fulness of time, and I hope it will not be too long postponed,” said Dr Hercus, “ we follow the example of Edinburgh University and establish a department of physical education n the Unversty, tbs need-

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ful supplementation of the playing fields at Logan Park will supply the department with the necessary provision for its practical work. Such a department would supervise the health of the students and direct their physical education.-and would be of immense value to the present movement for promoting physical education in the community. It is most gratifying to see that in the inquiry referred to above over 70 per cent, of the students signified their willingness to take an active part in physical education under medical supervision. AN UNSATISFACTORY POSITION. “ Out of a total of 1,376 students there are over 900 full-time students in this university, and 650 of these have their homes outside of Dunedin. Residential college accommodation is available for anly 200 of these students. Two of these colleges we owe in large measure to the generosity of the hue Sir John and Lady Ross, and the university will ever be grateful to thorn for their wisdom in establishing Ivnox College and bt. Margaret’s,” continued the speaker. “Of the remaining 3f>o students "100 are living in lodgings approved and controlled by the university; 160 are living in lodgings or flats uncontrolled by the university, a position which cannot be regarded as satisfactory; while 90 students not in residential colleges have signified that they' would prefer to live in a residential college if it were available. “ In 1877, when the University Council of that day was laying" down' the specifications for tho then new university buildings, a boarding establis'immt was included in the plans. Financial considerations unfortunately prevented the scheme from being carried out. Financial reasons also prevent the present University Council from making provision for these students. Here is a field for private benefaction, the importance of which it would be difficult to over-emphasise. Unfortunately a union and a hostel do not complete our list of building needs, nor are they the most urgent requirements. BUILDING PROBLEMS.

Continuing his oration, Dr Hercus said: “An even more pressing problem confronts us in the faculty of. arts and science. The library, the heart of the university, is so cramped that it is unable to function sufficiently. In 1931 the Carnegie Corporation set aside the sum of 15,000 dollars for the purchase of books for the library. The gift was subject to certain conditions as to adequate accommodation, classification, and cataloguing, "and though seven years have passed Otago University cannot yet qualify for the receipt-of this gift. _ “It is no exaggeration to say that every available square foot of accommodation has now been utilised. This year there are nearly 700 enrolments in the non-science classes of the arts and science faculty. This means that an average of 200 students should be using the library as their laboratory every day. Actually there is seating for only 60 students, the lowest provision of any of the New Zealand University colleges. Auckland, with fewer students, has three times the capacity Even this limited accommodation has been made available at the expense of sacrificing three classrooms and a professor’s room.” “ The University Council is fully aware of the urgency of the situation, he went on. “ It realises that an adequate library is the basis of all teaching and study of university standard, and an essential condition of research. A new library has been placed in the forefront of its needs. The Government has been approached for assistance, and is sympathetic, but so' pressing are its other claims that no finality has yet been reached in the matter. The Australian .universities have been more fortunate than we.. Generous citizens have established magnificent

university libraries in the Universities of Perth, Adelaide, and'Sydney; monuments to their generosity and vision which will endure through generations. Are there no wealthy citizens of likevision in the province’ of Otago?' ■“ The ■ erection of a library will at once remove the congestion in; the arts and science faculty,” averred Dr Hercus. “ You probably do not realise how serious is the overcrowding in this faculty. The dean of the, faculty has no private room in which to interview students or members of staff. So severe is the pressure on space that one tiny private room is shared by five of the teaching staff. Some of the classrooms are in practically use throughout the whole day. The biology department is also seriously overcrowded and badly housed. This requirement has been placed by the. University Council second on its list of urgent needs. The Home Science School requires a new hostel, and provision for research cannot long be postponed in the Medical School.” FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION. “If this programme is to be carried out, and there is no suggestion of extravagance in it, nothing that’ a younger and smaller university such as Adelaide does hot already _ possess, _ a largo sum of money ’will require to be found both for capital cost and for increased maintenance charges.” remarked the speaker. “ The capital invested in the University of Otago at that moment is over £844,000. No less than £364,000 of this total has been received from private benefactions. No other university college in New Zealand has been so fortunate. Thanks to the wisdom _ of the present Minister * of Education (the Hon. Peter Fraser) a friend of education in. New Zealand, substantial increases were made last year to the Government grants, which now total £26,523. It is to be hoped that this is but the commencement of a policy of regular increases to the annual grants for the Univereity in New Zealand, continued until such time as Government grants are brought to. a level equivalent to those 2 iven in Great Britain and Australia.” ■ ADVANTAGES TO DUNEDIN. Speaking of the advantages tp Dunedin of such a programme of bunding, Dr Kerens said: “ The presence of the University of Otago in Dunedin determines the circulation of some £IBO,OOO annually, made up as follows:—The annual expenditure of the University itself is some £105,000, and to this must be added the amount circulated by. the 762 students, whole and. part-time, who would not be resident in Dunedin but for the presence of the University. On a conservative basis this can be estimated at £IOO per student, or a total of £76,200. There cannot be many other single industries in this city or province which are more helpful to trade. Over 30 years ago Sir Frederick Chapman converted the Hon. Mr Downie Stewart, at that time actively engaged on the Dunedin City Council, to his view, that it would be in the best interests of , the city if it supported the University financially. Sir Frederick drew attention to a number of small towns - in Europe which became prosperous because'''of the excellence of cheir universities, acting like magnets to draw students from far and near. Unfortunately Mr Stewart failed to_ persuade the majority of the councillors of the wisdom of the proposal. Meantime . in England and Wales to-day it is customary for the cities in which the provincial universities are situated to place nt the disposal, of their universities approximately the equivalent of a penny rate This is a matter which might well receive the attention of the present city council, and - is another fruitful field for graduate influence.”

“ But even with the advent of increased Government grants and regular financial support from the City Council, there will still remain wide scope for private benefaction andorganised assistance from the’city and province,” went on the speaker. ‘‘ Is it beyond the bounds of possibility that a determined effort might be made in Otago comparable to the one made at the time of the Exhibition, to place their University on a sound financial _ basis and to provide these urgent building needs? I cannbt imagine a project that would b® nearer to the hearts of bur pioneers. May I remind you of the message which Mr Macandrew, Superintendent of tho Province, sent to 'the opening meeting of the University? The message read: ‘ I confess that my own aspirations lead me to anticipate*for. the University 'of Otago a much greater than even a New Zealand fame. If it be . that the. influence of climate has much to do with the development of mental as of physical vigour, then; I think that, all things being equal, the .University which you are this day inaugurating is not unlikely to be the seat of learning in thd Southern Hemisphere. At all_ events, there can be no' harm in aiming thus high.’ ■ “ Donations to such a fund would be encouraged if the Government followed the example of Canada and gave exemption from income tax on all gifts to education, hospitals, and charity up to 15, per cent, of income,” remarked tho doctor. # , Did the University lie close enough to the heart of the people of this vince to promise a ready response to ah appeal of this mature? Was tho work of the University of such, importance. as to warrant the sacrifice which this effort would involve? were questions which might well be asked. “My answer to both these questions is in the affirmative, believing as I do that a university at its • best represents on® of democracy’s most noble,achievements, standing as it does for freedom of thought, for discipline, self-discipline, for toleration, for plain living and high thinking, it. must' be evident that any serious deficiency in its equipment must be fraught with serious- consequences. Never did’.the world need the concret® expression of this spirit more than, it does to-day,” said Dr Hercus in conclusion.